The Models Walking On 6th
A pictorial addition to our Christos Dovas Fashion Week exclusive courtesy of renowned photographer, Steven Speliotis!
Christos Dovas surrounded by the models before they begin their "Walk on 6th Avenue"
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From left to right: Adrienne Hampton, Desiree Lomino, Samantha Giordano, Remy Aquino (standing on platform), Jennifer Pham (kneeling), Lorraine Fransisco (standing on platform), Kit Chan, Olga Fedorishcheva, and Sherry Hwang.
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Kit models "Vivianne" while on 6th
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 Olga strikes a sexy pose for the camera
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Samantha, Kit & Adrienne model the tulle waist dressings: "Victoriana", "Vivianne", and "Majestic" respectively.
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Sherry posing just across from Bryant Park.
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Lorraine & Remy strike an artistic & seductive pose after the "Walk on 6th" at Christos' studio.
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Olga highlights Christos' ornate couture designs with this piece.
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Sherry poses in "Victoriana"
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The ladies pose in Christos Dovas' hand designed creations.
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A Walk On 6th Avenue Production Credits
Designer - Christos Dovas
Photography - Steven Speliotis
Press - Dori Smith
Key Make-up Artist - Adrienne Vazquez
Make-up Artist Assistant - Philippa Williams
Key Hair Stylist - Tonia Lasaponara
Hair Stylist Assistant - Jennifer Cuccurullo
Videographer - Sasha
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Christos Dovas & Olympus Fashion Week 2005
We interviewed and followed on of the most innovative designers of our time to bring you the best in creativity and excitement from the Olympus Fashion Week for the Fall 2005 season. Read on as Dori takes you from the concept to the exciting reality!
Friday February 4th:
It's early noon as I make my way into the heart of designer's row, 39th between 5th and 6th avenues. I'm just a block away from the fashion week tents, but my focus is to meet with a man behind the vision of "waist dressing", Christos Dovas. I buzz up to his studio and am immediately greeted with a warm smile and conversation making me feel like I've known him forever. It's not even like a normal interview! Christos delves into conversation as if chatting amicably with an old friend rather than the stock question and answer series.
Instantly I learn that Christos Dovas hails from an extensive design and fashion background, not just in education but within his family as well. Working along side his father; a custom shoe designer in Patras, Hellas; as an apprentice he learned the necessity for design concept and the precision of working by hand. This attention to detail gained Christos notoriety at a local museum after he began to create Byzantine art by hand.
After this, Christos' career and education revolved around hand crafted ornate designs that were not only eye catching but garnered interest from highly respected fashion icons. Christos Dovas graduated from The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York with a B.F.A. in Fashion Design after already having successfully launched a boutique with his own line of hand made evening gowns. An internship in the costume department of the Metropolitan Opera of New York only helped to reinforce his studies and abilities with ornate hand made creativity.
Years after making beautiful evening gowns, Christos decided to look to a smaller scale with his waist dressing accessories while still making each piece unique. I was awed by the extensive eye for detail and rich luxury that could be found in each piece!
So what is a "waist dressing"? It is a way for a woman to express herself with glamour and drama. Christos' waist dressings embody the beauty and detailing of his couture evening wear background on a smaller scale. A woman who wears this is still elegant whether it's day or night . "It is worn on the waist, it falls on the hips, and it is elaborated such as, only one name it could be called 'Waist Dressing'"
Instantly I was intrigued and wanted to see the waist dressings for myself. I couldn't believe the ornate nature of the hand detailed works. I can tell that Christos is inspired by everything from current events to icons such as Josephine Baker. My favorite was "majestic", a waist dressing with an actual glove surrounded by pearls and then embellished with beautiful crinoline in black, blue and red. So, after I try on every waist dressing, leaving me feeling luxurious and like a celebrity, I'm invited back the next day to view the fitting and testing for Christos' event the following Wednesday.
Saturday February 5th:
It's about 1pm and I'm on the computer, relaxing and lounging like I normally do. My phone rings and it's Christos on the phone inviting me over to the fitting. Twenty minutes later I'm back at his studio on 39th. I meet four of the models that he's chosen for his event, Kit Chan, Adrienne Hampton, Samantha Giordano and Jennifer Pham. I also meet Philippa Williams who will be one of the make up artists for the event.
It's such a relaxed atmosphere as Christos Dovas chooses the waist dressing to fit each model's personality. Finally, Christos unveils his plan. Just two blocks north of us in Bryant Park, the Fashion Week tents are already set. But, rather than doing a traditional fashion show with a catwalk and heroin chic models, Christos has something truly different in mind.
He has chosen to have nine models wearing his waist dressings with nothing else but a white t shirt and jeans so that the waist dressing will be the focus. They will walk two blocks north to Bryant Park and just outside of the tents, they will begin to pose and use their beauty and charm to entice the photographers and any other press. But instead of the traditional angry poses that we're used to, their's will be a mix of innocence, beauty and seductive mystery. We do a quick dry run and then it's back to the studio to finish up on last minute touches...we're now four days from Christos' unveiling!
*We're all praying for good weather for Wednesday!*
Wednesday February 9th:
It's D-Day and I'm completely psyched! Armed with pen and paper and a completely sexy outfit (my flouncey denim skirt, white button down blouse and tan boots), I head over to Christos' studio around noon. We're in the Mezanine area, because there's more space, and instantly I'm swept into the high energy swing of the room! Today, there are more models than on Saturday: Olga Fedorishcheva, Remy Aquino, Lorraine Fransisco, Sherry Hwang and Desiree Lomino. Everyone has a great personality, unlike the normal behind the scenes of fashion events that I'm used to.
The room is a blur of hair and make up artists creating beautiful visions. I'm not the only press in the room, I'm honored to be working with Steven Speliotis, a famed photographer who has worked with some of the hottest names in the fashion and entertainment industries. Steven takes pictures of everything in motion, adding to the excitement of the room.
Finally, Christos arrives and it's time to get the girls into their waist dressings for final pictures before we head outside. But first, we toast to the success of the event. After all the models are dressed and final pictures have been taken, we head outside, instantly we can see the effect on the crowds. Keeping in mind that we're already in the fashion district of Manhattan, you would think that people would be used to seeing exotic and different designs.
But the mix of beautiful women and ornate designs causes heads to turn as we walk. Everyone, but specifically men, stops what they're doing to turn and gaze as nine women strut down the street, promoting the waist dressings. Meanwhile, Steven continues to take pictures in motion. We pause on the corner of 6th Avenue and 40th to take pictures at the corner of Bryant Park. Soon, we're surrounded by men (some press and some just spectators) taking pictures, using everything from professional grade cameras to handheld camera phones.
It's a media frenzy and Christos Dovas is beaming. This event is a success and we've only just begun! After about fifteen minutes on the corner, we're able to manuever our way to directly infront of the fashion week tents. The ladies begin to pose as they had been directed by Christos during the past week. The entire time, curious pedestrians and press members keep stopping us to ask "who is this for" or "what is this about". Everyone keeps describing Christos' plan as innovative and eye catching.
And they're right! Who else would have thought to create a scene outside of the fashion week tents. It was much more exciting and was so innovative, that I do believe I saw some people from Dior attempting to do a similar piece like Christos with their models across from Bryant Park on the other side of 6th Avenue. After about an hour of posing and stopping traffic while curious pedestrians follow us, we head back to Christos' studio, where Steven Speliotis begins to take more pictures of the ladies in their waist dressings.
In all, I spent about five hours shadowing Christos Dovas on Wednesday and continued to follow up with him afterwards to discuss the success of the show. This was one of the most exciting events that I have ever covered and I can't imagine how there could be anything less than stellar success for Christos and his ornate hand made creations. With national and international press and retail interest, it should be but a matter of time before Christos' waist dressings become a new household name. So, in usual Big Apple Style don't say that you were the last to know about it!
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News You Can Use
Catch Dori's Big Apple Style articles in the following ezines:
Twenty One NY, a hot new ezine targeted for the twenty something NYC socialite!
Mahogany Girl: A west coast LA ezine focusing on issues central to the African American female community.
Chaotic Culture: An ezine focusing on everything from fashion to current events and how it shapes our world.
And Coming Soon:
Daisy Shop: A Midwest based couture fashion magazine that offers its discriminating clients designer brands at sample sale prices. Coming in the late fall for the holiday edition!
313 Magazine: An ezine focusing on the urban professional spanning hip-hop culture in Detroit. Launching March 2005
Tinta Latina: An ezine based in the California market targeting latina women with a focus on culture and lifestyle.
Don't say you were the last to know about it!
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